Packaging rod-like articles



Jan. 6, 1970 v. OLIVOTTO 3,437,920

PACKAGING ROD--LIKE ARTICLES Filed April 19, 1968 FFGJ P56. 4 FIGSUnited States Patent 3,487,920 PACKAGING ROD-LIKE ARTICLES VanfridoOlivotto, 85 Via Carlo Capelii, Turin, Italy Filed Apr. 19, 1968, Ser.No. 722,707 Claims priority, application Italy, Mar. 4, 1968, 50,768/ 68Int. Cl. B65d 71/00, 85/20 US. Cl. 206-65 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Tubes or rods are assembled to a bundle by fitting on eachend of the bundle a cap comprising a circumferential wall resilientlygripping the bundle.

The invention relates to a package comprising essentially two resilientcaps enclosing both ends of a bundle formed by a given number of tubesor rods of brittle material, more particularly glass, so as to clamp andpack the bundle of tubes or bars.

More particularly, the resulting package may be circular, square orpolygonal in cross section or of any other form and may be optionallyfurther wrapped by one or more wrappings of paper, plastics or othersuitable material. Transport and stockage of tubes or rods of brittlematerials necessitates accurate wrapping and packaging in order toprevent scouring or breaking.

Experience has shown that breakage occurs prevailingly at the headportion of the packages unless these have been conveniently protected.

For instance, with thin tube glasses for the manufacture of injectionvials, breakage may be so considerable as to recommend packaging evenfor transport simply Within the work.

Obviously, in such case the package should be simple, quickly appliedand inexpensive.

The package according to the invention satisfactorily meets all theserequirements as well as further ones which shall be explained hereafter.

With the package:

(a) A bundle of tubes previously cut to the same length, if desiredthermally treated and sized by a sequence of operations which may beeffected by hand or in part or all mechanically, can be grouped to abundle; the tubes or bars to be grouped to a bundle can be counted; thetubes or bars are bundled to a cylindrical bundle; both ends of thebundle can be capped by means of two resilient caps fitted thereon afterhaving been resiliently expanded.

(b) The bundle of tubes or bars can be tightly packed to preventlongitudinal displacements which might lead to scouring.

(c) The head portions are adequately protected against shocks.

(d) Access of dust to the inside of the tube package is prevented.

(e) The resulting packages can be easily placed upright or horizontallyfor transport within large containers which may be either re-utilized ordisposed of.

The use of caps differing in color will permit of readily distinguishingthe various standards and size of the tubes or bars in each package.

(f) For short transport within the work the caps can be easilydisassembled and recovered, thereby considerably reducing the cost ofmanufacture.

(g) When storing or transporting tubes as semi-finished product, thebundle can be further protected by manually or automatically wrappingone or more sheets or webs of paper, plastics or the like adheringthroughout or over most of the length of the bundle, the ends of thewinding being arranged either beneath or over the caps.

(h) A space may be made available on each head end of the packages forproviding thereon labels containing technical or trade indicationsrelating to the tubes or bars in the package.

(i) The name of the manufacturer can be applied in relief on the caps.

The indications on the head portions according to paragraphs (h) to (i)may be easily read when the packages are placed in containers or storedon shelves.

The invention will be understood with the aid of the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a bundle of tubes 1 held bytwo end caps 2 fitted after having been resiliently expanded.

FIGURE 2 is a front view of a package with a further wrapping made of aband 3 wound about the bundle and of the said end caps.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views of an empty cap and ofthe cap forced in position.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are front views of a cap of circuular and square shape,respectively, with an inscription in relief and labels applied theretofor technical or trade indications.

FIGURE 7 is a part view of a modified embodiment.

The end caps may be made of any flexible resilient material such asrubber, plastics (elastomers), etc.

According to the modification shown in FIG. 7, a cap 2a is used made ofpressed cardboard with its inlet edge elasticized by a resilient rubberring 4 encircling the open end of the cap.

The normal section of the caps, hence of the package may be circular,FIG. 5, or square, FIG. 6, or of any polygonal shape.

Preferred embodiments have been described and shown, but it will beunderstood that modifications can be made without departing from thescope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A package comprising a bundle of co-extensive rodshaped articles,wherein each of the opposite ends of the bundles is fitted with aresilient elastomeric cap member including a circumferential wallresiliently clamping the bundle.

2. A package comprising a bundle of co-extensive rodshaped articles,wherein each of the opposed ends of the bundle is fitted with a capmember including a circumferential wall resiliently clamping the bundle,the cap member being formed from a pressed cardboard material andincludes a resilient rubber ring encircling the open end of the capmember.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 163,935 6/ 1875 Lewinson 206-672,517,939 8/1950 Stewart 20646 X 3,057,472 10/1962 Dooty 206 MARTHA L.PRICE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. l5052

